I'm going to die...
Standing at the foot of the stairs leading to STARRY, Hitori trembled.
Yesterday, she hadn't paid much attention to her near-death experience, but now that she thought about it...
I think I overheard something I shouldn't have...
A secret belonging to Captain Ijichi Nijika!
Ah... am I going to be targeted now? Will the Captain ostracize me from the band, forcing me to serve tea, wash the feet of my seniors, and eventually drain me of all value before discarding me...?
No, no, no, no! This isn't right! Nijika wouldn't do this!
But... but...
"Ah? Hitori?"
"Bocchi?"
"Uwaah!"
The sudden voice behind her startled Hitori, making her jump up. She turned to see Ijichi Nijika standing there with a girl beside her.
Short blue hair, golden eyes, and a height Hitori could never hope to reach—the sheer presence of the girl made her shrink back involuntarily.
"Nijika... Ryo-san... G-good afternoon..."
"Still the same as ever~" Nijika sighed helplessly, tilting her head. Beside her, the blue-haired girl, Yamada Ryo, gave a thumbs-up.
"That's Bocchi!"
"Y-yes! I'll do my best to stay this way!" Hitori declared loudly.
"No, no, don't stay like that," Nijika waved her hand. "Anyway, let's hurry inside and practice."
"Ah! Yes!" Hitori straightened up and shouted.
"...Even though you're always a bit odd, Hitori, you seem even more flustered today." Nijika sighed, then opened the door to STARRY for the two behind her.
"Good afternoon, everyone!"
A few people glanced up before returning to their tasks.
Behind her, Hitori nearly melted into a puddle on the spot.
Nijika, however, seemed unfazed. Her gaze shifted to the ticket counter.
Haru greeted her softly with a smile.
"Good afternoon, Nijika."
"...Good afternoon, koneko," Nijika replied, her voice softening.
Witnessing this exchange, Hitori completely dissolved into a puddle of embarrassment, while Yamada Ryo's eyes suddenly sharpened.
"You're koneko?"
"Hmm? I don't recognize your voice. Who might you be?"
"Yamada Ryo. I get scolded all the time because of you."
"Huh? I thought this was our first meeting?"
"Nijika talks about you constantly and uses your 'achievements' to tease me."
Ryo bounced lightly on the spot, her fists beginning to dance before her.
Behind her, Hitori's eyes widened abruptly.
Boxing! Pure, unadulterated boxing!
"Get up and fight me!"
"You idiot!"
Nijika punched Ryo on the head.
"Ugh! So... Nijika really does like this man more than me! If that's the case, then I'll use poison..."
"What nonsense are you spouting? Koneko is blind right now."
"?"
Yamada Ryo froze, abandoning her mock-weeping expression as she turned to face Haru.
Then, to Hitori's shock, she bowed slightly.
"I'm sorry."
"Ah, there's no need to apologize."
Haru smiled.
Beside them, Nijika sighed and took a step closer to Haru.
"I should apologize too."
"Hmm? Is Japan having an apology craze right now? Oh wait... come to think of it, they've always been like this."
"No, seriously! I ran away yesterday and even called you an idiot."
"I don't mind."
"Still, I should apologize. I'm sorry..."
"It's okay."
Watching the two apologize to each other, Hitori suddenly shuddered.
Could it be?! Do I have to apologize too?!
Hitori took a deep breath and slapped her cheeks hard.
Alright! Let's do this!
Socializing is all about fitting in! I'll just do what everyone else is doing!
With that, Hitori rushed over to Haru and shouted at the top of her lungs:
"I'M SORRY!!!!"
The sheer volume of her voice drew everyone's attention.
"...Uh, what are you apologizing for?"
Haru tilted his head in confusion.
"N-no, it's just that..."
Hitori looked up anxiously, only to realize all eyes were on her.
Ah...
Crack...
Cracks appeared on Gotō Hitori's body, and in the next instant...
BANG!!!!
Hitori exploded into pieces.
"Ah! Hitori exploded!" Nijika cried, clutching her head.
"Glue! There's still time!" Ryo shouted, rummaging through her backpack.
"...Pfft..."
Haru couldn't help but chuckle.
"Sigh..."
Seika approached them.
"You're heading to practice, right? Stop wasting time at the entrance. Are you planning to wait until opening hours and block the customers?"
Seika addressed Nijika, Ryo, who was supporting the unconscious Hitori behind her, and Haru.
"Ah! Right, we should hurry to practice... See you later, koneko!"
Nijika nodded and was about to head to the practice room when Seika interrupted her.
"Wait a minute."
"Hmm?"
Nijika looked up and saw Seika dragging Haru out from behind the ticket counter.
"Is Seika-neesan finally kicking me out because I'm blind and useless?"
"Shut up."
Seika dragged Haru in front of the trio.
"Even though he's blind, he's actually quite skilled. Take him with you to practice and let him give you some feedback."
"Um... what about my opinion?"
Haru timidly raised his hand, only for Seiks to press it back down.
"I'm your boss."
"Alright..."
Haru nodded.
Seika sighed and gave Nijika a meaningful look.
"Seize this opportunity. This guy doesn't even have a band yet."
"Huh?"
Nijika tilted her head, while Ryo blinked.
Then, Ryo gave Seika a thumbs-up and asked, "SSR?"
Seika shook her head and held up one finger. "UR."
"!" Ryo's eyes widened, and she suddenly grabbed Haru.
"Koneko, let's go!"
"N-no... why are you calling me that all of a sudden...?" Haru asked, his lips twitching.
"Yeah! Why are you calling him that all of a sudden?!" Nijika's voice grew urgent.
"It's a nickname. Don't worry about it," Ryo said with a smile.
"But I do worry about it!" Nijika's voice grew even more frantic.
Ryo didn't respond. Instead, she dragged Haru into the practice room, and Hitori was naturally handed over to Nijika.
"Ah! Wait!" Nijika shouted, then pulled Hitori along as she raced toward the practice room.
Bang!
The practice room door slammed shut. Seika watched the scene unfold, arms crossed.
"Good luck," she murmured quietly.